“Te manu kai miro, nōna te ngahere; te manu kai mātauranga, nōna te ao!” 

He mihi tēnei ki a koutou e whai ana i te mātauranga atawhai kararehe me te whāomoomo. Tēnā koutou katoa 

“The bird that eats the miro berries, theirs is the forest; the bird that consumes knowledge, theirs is the world!” 

Greetings to those of you pursuing your interest in zoo animal care and wildlife conservation, and we acknowledge you.

Auckland Zoo is looking for highly motivated and committed individuals who want to build a career in zoo animal care and wildlife conservation. 

We are offering six-month paid internships within the Animal Care & Conservation team during which you will become an integral member of the team working alongside our keepers and veterinary staff.

Experience is gained through on-the-job training in the management and husbandry of a range of species - focussing on intern’s taxonomic preferences were possible - and regular assessment and feedback will be provided.

In addition to daily animal care duties (4days/wk), interns spend 1day/wk attending a series of lectures providing a theoretical background in important zoo and conservation topics (species planning, cooperative breeding programmes, field conservation, animal training & conditioning, animal health, animal records and transfers) and undertaking personal study including desk-based and/or practical research projects and a ‘Species Action Plan’.

There will be opportunities to accompany staff on selected field conservation projects in the wider Auckland area. This may involve habitat restoration work on offshore islands, survey and assessment work, or release and translocation initiatives for key New Zealand species.

On completion, interns receive a detailed record of their training and a Certificate of Achievement.

This programme has been running successfully since 2013 and graduates consistently feedback that the internship experience has assisted them in their career development and attaining relevant employment both here in New Zealand and further afield.

Requirements

Applicants must:

  1. be a resident in Aotearoa, New Zealand or Oceania and eligible to live/work in Aotearoa, New Zealand
  2. hold or currently be studying for, a relevant first degree in biological sciences/conservation (preferred) and/or a certificate in zoo animal management or similar equivalent experience
  3. be able and prepared to undertake physical work in outdoor environments and all weathers

Applications have now closed for 2024 and the Internship will be from October 2024 until April 2025. Applications for 2025 will open in June 2025.

These are full-time positions and interns will be expected to work from 8am to 5.30pm daily and work 10 days out of fourteen, including weekends and public holidays (as rostered).

There is limited on-site accommodation for which successful applicants may qualify as part of a remuneration package on a case-by-case basis.

Auckland Zoo Opportunities